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Congress debate on urban violence points to deficits in integrating young people in political decision-making

Congress debate on urban violence points to deficits in integrating young people in political decision-making
[19/10/2011]

Giorgos Georgiadis, a young educator from Greece, described his personal experience to the members of the Congress during a debate on “new forms of civic activism and urban violence” held on 19 October 2011 during the 21st Session. ''Politicians take decisions without consulting us. We are defending our right to express our opinions and to participate, but also our right to work, to housing and to education'', he explained. ''I’m 32 and, for me, it’s not just an economic crisis, but also a crisis of values''. This is one of the keys to understanding the mass demonstrations in Greece, where young people have taken to the streets in large numbers. Keith Whitmore, President of the Congress, introduced the debate by calling on local authorities to make the most of this activism to involve citizens more fully in democracy. He stressed that local authorities, who are the first to have to deal with urban violence when it breaks out, also play a key role in fostering greater citizen participation.
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